Cheltenham Festival tips: one key runner from each ITV race on Wednesday

ITV will broadcast five live races from the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday. The action on day two features some high-class names, notably Shishkin, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Cheltenham Festival Wednesday: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for day two of the Cheltenham Festival

1.30 Cheltenham
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, 2m5f, Grade 1

Sir Gerhard bids to give Willie Mullins a record-extending fifth Ballymore success as well as maintain his unbeaten festival record having won the Champion Bumper last year, while the unbeaten Journey With Me represents last year's winners Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and owners Robcour.

The British team is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Challow Hurdle winner Stage Star, while Nicky Henderson is represented by I Am Maximus.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: STAGE STAR

3-3 over hurdles this season, the latest win gained in Grade 1 Challow at Newbury

Paul Kealy's banker at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday

2.10 Cheltenham
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, 3m½f, Grade 1

Bravemansgame attempts to continue his perfect chasing record and avenge his defeat at last year's festival, but faces usual rival Ahoy Senor, who got back to winning ways in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby last time.

Scilly Isles winner L'Homme Presse heads to this instead of the Turners' in a race dominated by top-class British contenders.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: L'HOMME PRESSE

The Punt Daily: Robbie Wilders' two each-way plays at Cheltenham on Wednesday

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2m5f, Grade 3

The unexposed Saint Felicien holds a strong chance to give Gordon Elliott a third Coral Cup and is one of seven for the trainer in the race, but faces a stern test in this fiercely competitive handicap, which also includes last year's festival winner The Shunter.

The Dan Skelton-trained Unexpected Party and Camprond, who has Graded and course form in the book, headline the British team.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: GOWEL ROAD

Beat Unexpected Party over C&D; stuck to his task very well over 2m since; big shout

Free Cheltenham Festival tips: six horses to back on Wednesday

3.30 Cheltenham
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, 2m, Grade 1

Shishkin bids for his crowning glory and a third festival win having won the Supreme and the Arkle in the last two seasons and faces a thrilling rematch against Energumene, who he bravely denied in the Clarence House Chase last time.

Chacun Pour Soi is also part of the formidable duo for Willie Mullins, while last year's one-two, Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra, are back for more.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: SHISHKIN

Got up late on from Energumene in Clarence House thriller; has all the right credentials

Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase), 3m6f

This could be dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll's emotional swansong to his glittering career as he aims for a remarkable sixth festival victory and a fourth win in this race, but faces a tough challenge from his own stable in multiple Grade 1 winner Delta Work.

Prengarde is an interesting contender for banks maestro Enda Bolger and is one of four for owner JP McManus in the contest, which also includes 2020 winner Easysland.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: TIGER ROLL

Has won this three times; he'll be tough to beat if anywhere close to his best

Best ITV Racing free bets

Sign up to William Hill here and get 30-1 on Shishkin to win the Champion Chase on Wednesday of the festival. New customers using EPS30. Applies to bets placed from 12:00 9th March 2022 until 15:30 16th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 30-1. Returns paid as 2 x £15 free bets (30-day expiry). Player, currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.

2022 Cheltenham Festival offers

Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new customers and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign up here
Sky Bet have got a selection of offers for new customers. Choose yours when you sign up here. They've also got an offer on every race of the festival
Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money back offers for the festival. Sign up for a new account here
To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today sign up to a new account here
Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here
bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here
New William Hill customers can claim free bets here as well as benefit from their money back offers here
888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here
If you're a new customer, Tote are offering you a free bet. Sign up here to claim. They're also offering a free Placepot bet each day of the festival

ITV7 tips and predictions

The ITV7 competition is back and is completely free to play, with £200,000 up for grabs. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer .

Race 1, 1.30 Cheltenham: STAGE STAR
Race 2, 1.50 Huntingdon: ELKSTONE
Race 3, 2.10 Cheltenham: L'HOMME PRESSE
Race 4, 2.30 Huntingdon: DOIREANN
Race 5, 2.50 Cheltenham: GOWEL ROAD
Race 6, 3.30 Cheltenham: SHISHKIN
Race 7, 4.10 Cheltenham: TIGER ROLL

Wednesday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: 'It is ours to lose' – can anything stop the might of Sir Gerhard in Ballymore?

2.10 Cheltenham: star novices Bravemansgame, L'Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor clash in thriller

2.50 Cheltenham: can The Shunter land the Coral Cup after switching back to hurdles?

3.30 Cheltenham: 'This is going to be the biggest test of Shishkin's life' says Nicky Henderson

4.10 Cheltenham: Tiger Roll bids to bow out on a high back where it all began

4.50 Cheltenham: can Andy Dufresne unlock sky-high potential for Gordon Elliott in Grand Annual?

5.30 Cheltenham: who will be crowned the bumper king? Facile Vega and American Mike face off